After three false starts, the Carter Gordon era for the Wallabies may have finally arrived after the flyhalf was named in the Australian XV to play Japan in Townsville on Saturday.
New coach Les Kiss dropped Declan Meredith after last week’s inconsistent performance in Osaka and turned to the 25-year-old who returned to union ranks last year after a stint in the NRL.
Gordon played Italy in November, but suffered a quad injury in the match, then he strained his calf in his first Test this year against Ireland last month.
He trained all last week but Meredith, the incumbent for Kiss’s first match in charge, was preferred alongside clubmate Ryan Lonergan in the halves. This week, however, Kiss has turned to Gordon as Australia continue the search for a consistent pivot barely a year out from the home World Cup.
Ben Donaldson will provide backup from the bench. Gordon and Donaldson are two of the seven players who have worn the No 10 jersey since Joe Schmidt took over in 2024.
“The coaches have looked to find some balance in the selection after what was a physically taxing Test week in the heat in Japan,” the coach said. “The whole group has worked hard this week and we know where we need to improve.
“This Saturday in Townsville gives us an opportunity to grow and strengthen our game on home soil in front of our supporters.”
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is missing due to a hamstring injury which has been described as “minor” by the team, joining Len Ikitau on the sidelines.
It means Isaac Henry wins his first Test start at outside centre after his debut last week, forming a midfield partnership with Reds teammate Hunter Paisami.
There are more changes in the forward pack, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto named for his first Test this season in the second row alongside Lachlan Shaw, who will make his first start in gold.
Flanker Charlie Cale also starts for the first time, with Carlo Tizzano at No 7, and captain Harry Wilson anchoring the scrum. Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell will start in the front row, with Josh Nasser at hooker.
Prop Massimo De Lutiis will start on the bench, and if he runs on for a Test debut he will become the 1,000th player capped for the Wallabies.
Australia: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Max Jorgensen, 13-Isaac Henry, 12-Hunter Paisami, 11-Harry Potter, 10-Carter Gordon, 9-Ryan Lonergan, 8-Harry Wilson (captain), 7-Carlo Tizzano, 6-Charlie Cale, 5-Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4-Lachlan Shaw, 3-Taniela Tupou, 2-Josh Nasser, 1-Angus Bell. Reserves: 16-Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17-Aidan Ross, 18-Massimo De Lutiis, 19-Jeremy Williams, 20-Fraser McReight, 21-Tate McDermott, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Filipo Daugunu
